A popular radio presenter and disc jockey visited Bradford to speak to 250 teenagers about the tough issues facing young people today.

DJ Spoony talked about racism, bullying, drugs, gangs and weapons during the Bradford Youth Summit at Valley Parade. The BBC presenter told the watching teenagers that it was vital for them to respect each other and the communities in which they lived.

He said: "Taking control of your own life is the single most important thing you can do, and that's something I have continued through my life until now."

Spoony revealed how he was given a very strict upbringing from his single mother, saying he never took drugs, drank alcohol or questioned her instructions. "The fear of getting the wrath of my mum made me do things to the best of my ability," he said.

Dave Niblock, one of the event organisers, asked Spoony about his own experiences of racism, gangs and weapons.

Spoony said: "I looked at my ethnic origin as a blessing. I never remember going home and thinking I was the only black guy in the class. With racism, I always found a way of turning it round and making it their problem.

"With guns and crime at the moment, it's serious times we are living in. People say young people are the problem but they are also the solution."

The event, organised by Bradford Youth Development Partnership, involved a thought-provoking play on the issue of extremism within Britain.

The youngsters then took part in a workshop called Building a Peaceful City, with the focus on gangs and weapons. There were other workshops on bullying, racism and drugs.

Special guests included two Bradford boxing stars, Nadeem Siddique and Junior Witter.

Habib Siddique, 16, a student at Grange Technical College, said: "This event is about bringing everyone together so we can sort any problems out and get other people's points of view. We want to get rid of the bad things in the community and start making the community a better place for everyone."